Elizabeth Potts Weinstein » crazy

I Am a Writer. So What.

Elizabeth Potts Weinstein — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:26:13 +0000

I’ve written 22,000+ tweets. Hundreds of blog posts. Published a book.

There are 24 entries in my “blog post ideas” text file. A few one-liners, a few with a couple bullet points, and two that are brain dumps of half-formed paragraphs and unconnected ideas.

I spend a fair amount of my life in the creation of content. Whether it’s an adventure, a tragedy, a haunting idiosyncrasy or a moment of enlightenment … always thinking, would this make an interesting video, an epic blog post? Is this a chapter in my next book?

But I’m still surprised, confused, upset, intimidated, when someone calls me a writer.

I’m comfortable being called an attorney – I mean, I have a degree and a license and passed a test and have the certificate that says I earned that one.

I’m obviously a mom – gave birth, raising the kid, spending tons of time and energy full of guilt that I’m not doing the right thing. I’ve totally earned that one.

Sometime during the last 6 years I morphed into an entrepreneur. Not when I started my business … back then I was just an independent attorney/financial advisor … but over the last 6 years I embraced the crazy, risk-taking, addiction of the startup entrepreneur.

Back in November 2009 I became a blogger. After refusing to write a word for 6 months (well, except for a few thousand tweets), I came back from a live event and reported my truth. And burned some bridges. And dozens of people commented, emailed, @ replied, RT’d, DM’d me how my truth resonated with their truth. I was just the one who spoke the controversy they were thinking but not saying. And, as such, I became a blogger.

I’ll even let you call me a coach. That one took a while … because I’ve never taken a training program, or been certified, or had some entity or organization or person proclaim me an official coach. It wasn’t until I was paid specifically to coach clients, until I got those first emails “just one thing you said made me back the money for this entire coaching program” and “thank you so much for making everything clear” that I realized, I do it intuitively. There is something about who I am, what I bring with me when I walk into a room or get on the phone with a client, that brings caring and courage and clarity. I was born a coach.

The latest addition to my twitter bio is aspiring adventurer. This is the part of me that I forgot when I decided to grow up at age 25 and be who I was “supposed” to be, instead of what I thought was unrealistic and impossible. This is what my last 3 months have been about, remembering the crazy EPW, the one who wants to go past the warning signs and jump out of planes and live a life of ecstasy. Yes, at heart, I am an adventurer.

And then we come to that whole “writer” thing.

Augh.

I am sitting here in the cantina at Chevy’s, nursing a margarita to lubricate the writing of this post.

And I understand why so many writers become alcoholics.

Because unlike law, motherhood, blogging, coaching, adventuring …

Writing is an art.

It is fundamentally a creative, inspired endeavor.

There is no objectivity. There is no done. There is no decision.

There is no degree or test or certification or award that tells you when you are a writer.

It is something that just happens. Or something we are cursed. Or blessed. Or born to be.

Writing takes everything.

As an INFJ personality, my core, my truth is complicated and personal and protected. To reveal that on the page is incredibly intimate. And consuming. Like I’m possessed by an urge that’s both irresistible and abusive to my sanity.

And after the creation, I’m spent. Hungover. I need a nap or a drink or an intervention.

And then once the post goes live? Once I tweet it and post it to facebook and email it to my list?

Then comes the obsessive refreshing of the page to see if I have any comments. The checking my @ replies for retweets.

I usually have to turn off my internet (and I mean turn off the freaking router) and go to Starbucks or Target or watch a movie on iTunes to give people enough time to actually read the blog post and have a chance to comment, before I freak because no one has commented in the 30 seconds since the post went live.

When people say “I want to be a writer” I look at them, flabbergasted, as if they have said “I want to be a heroin addict” or something equally insane. I mean, who in the world would wish this on themselves? Who would wish this on anyone?

And then I look back on my life. A childhood of writing short stories and poetry and unfinished novels. The reading of thousands of books. Taking classes in creative writing where I felt that I failed because I got an A- instead of an A. Having everything I’ve ever submitted for publication to be accepted, in papers and magazines and newsletters and blogs and books, and yet never been paid for any of them.

I’ve been a writer my whole life.

But I never felt crowned a writer.

… 0f course, maybe all of this angst is total bullsh*t.

Maybe writing is not a terrible curse. Maybe it is not anything. Maybe this is just something that I am, something that I have to get over.

And maybe the process of getting over it is the painful part.

Once I get over it, accept it, embrace it … then it’s just something that’s a true fact. Part of me. Like having blond hair or speed reading or loving spicy food or understanding particle physics.

So that was my 2010 New Year’s Resolution. Not a goal, or a thing to quit.

My 2010 New Year’s Resolution was to get over the fact that I really am a writer.

And … isn’t it interesting how I phrased that?

“Get over the fact…” <– That’s not a decision. That’s a proposal to decide in the future. wtf.

So screw that resolution.

Let’s make a declaration right now.

I am a writer.

And that fact is not something that is terrible. That fact is not a curse.

It’s just a fact. A part of who I am. A thing that I do.

I’m not saying that I’m the most brilliant writer that ever lived, or that everyone is going to like how I write, or that I’m going to create powerful prose every day.

Writing is just one of the many ways in which I live my truth.

So the next time you see me lament on twitter about how hard it is to write, the next time you hear me whine about the last blog post … call me on that angst filled bullsh*t.

Writing is just one thing that I do.

#thatisall

—

Are you struggling with being a writer? Are you refusing to embrace a part of who you are? Are you manufacturing angst in your life by refusing to accept part of your calling?

I’d love to hear your feedback, thoughts, comments below!

Sorry, I’m Not Feeling Epic Today

Do You Want Every Day to be Epic?

Elizabeth Potts Weinstein — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:15:23 +0000

Of course you do.

Join @ElizabethPW and @AllisonNazarian for the weekly twitter chat “Epic Adventures in Everyday Life” (#epicchat) on Wednesdays at 5:00 PM Pac / 8:00 PM EST

Join EPW (closer-to-the-edge girl) and ANaz (closer-to-home girl) as they explore:

How life doesn’t stop when you become a mom … it begins.
Why you need (at least) a bit of crazy and adventure in your life, even if you are not a risk-taker or adrenaline junkie.
How you don’t need to travel to India or jump out of a plane to transform your life.
How to marry the idea of crazy & fun & freedom into real, practical, day- to-day life.
Why it’s hard to bring adventure into your life in a vacuum, and how real and powerful friendships are your “key ingredient” for making life itself an adventure.
How to run your career/business, have a real life, go on adventures, and be a great mom … all at the same time … without being frozen by guilt or overwhelm.

Each week we will choose a different topic & invite special guests to share their awesometastic ideas & inspirational stories with you.

Elizabeth Potts Weinstein (aka @ElizabethPW, aka EPW) is a mom, entrepreneur, and crazy adventurer who feels more at home in airports, hotels, taxicabs, new friends’ homes or while tweeting up in bars, climbing a mountain or randomly walking around a city, than she does at the place where she keeps her stuff. She uses her travels as inspiration for her blog & videos, for coaching clients, and for creating new programs exploring how to Live Your Truth in business and life. If you want to follow her particular kind of insanity, check her on on twitter, facebook, or on her blog (EPW: of course you know about that, you’re on my blog right now. lol.).

Allison Nazarian (@AllisonNazarian) is a Mom, writer, empire-builder, author, former introvert, former control freak, future bookstore owner and current NFL junkie and Howard Stern fan who craves the comfyness, safety and familiarity of home while slowly but surely embracing the fun, flow and adventure of life on the edge. Allison writes copy, columns and blogs and teaches others how to do the same. Connect with Allison on twitter, Facebook or at AllisonNazarian.com.

Why I’m Letting Go of Things That Make Money

Elizabeth Potts Weinstein — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:31:48 +0000

In the last 30 days, I decided to not relaunch The Money Tree System, to put my book Grow Up! Strategies on clearance, and to shut down TheWealthSpa.com.

These decisions seem completely unreasonable.

The program makes money. The book was already printed. The website got google organic traffic.

But sometimes the only way to move forward is to let things go.

Is there anything in your business that’s distracting you from what you really want to be doing?

What’s in your business that’s leftover from who you were yesterday?

What do you need to let go of so you can be 100% yourself?

The Profoundness of a T-Shirt

Elizabeth Potts Weinstein — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:40:53 +0000

Not sure exactly when it was, probably 10 or 12 years ago, when I stopped buying t-shirts.

Because grown-up professionals don’t wear t-shirts, right?

They wear sweaters and blouses and button downs. Jackets over cute tops with coordinating scarves and necklaces. Tailored pants. Heels.

And so I thought that was what I was “supposed” to do.

But then … I went to Austin.

So what are you wearing, what are you doing, because you are “supposed” to do that as a professional?

What of yourself did you give up to become a grown-up?

And … do you want it back?

The EPW Bucket List: Who Wants to Join Me?

Elizabeth Potts Weinstein — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:42:52 +0000

What’s a bucket list?

A “bucket list” is everything you want to do before you “kick the bucket” — everything you want to do before you die.

The first time I made a bucket list was in my freshman year of high school.

It was 1989. Sitting in the back of an auditorium filled with 1600 honors students, while one of those Tony-Robbins-wanna-be hyped up motivational speakers yelled at us from the stage.

His big speech was trying to inspire a bunch of high school students to make a list of 100 goals for their lives:

“Studies show that only 4 of you in this room will actually do it, but making this list will change your life! Decide today to be one of the 4 people!”

So, I decided to be one of the 4 people.

And I made my first bucket list.

That original list has passed into history – maybe it’s in a box at my parent’s house, I’m looking for it the next time I’m in town – but I’ve kept that original list & all the additions in my head for the last 21 years, checking things off as I go.

Today is the first day I’ve shared them in public. And, the first day I’ve asked for help.

I’m posting my bucket list for you for three reasons:

to hold me accountable,
to see if you have resources to help make them happen, and
to see if any of you want to come along.

So, do you want to join me on an adventure? Look below, and take your pick.

The EPW Bucket List (in no particular order):

walk on the moon
see the sun rise over the earth from space
spacewalk
land a plane
ride in a fighter jet
skydive
skydive solo
learn to swim
learn to swim underwater
dive off a diving board
learn to scuba dive
finish an Ironman race
learn to salsa dance
learn to tango
learn to belly dance
learn to fence
chase an eclipse
explore the Galapagos Islands
explore Antarctica
explore New Zealand
explore Alaska
explore Japan
explore China
explore India
explore Morocco
ride a hot air balloon over the plains of Africa
hike across the Grand Canyon, rim to rim
hike the narrows in Zion Canyon
spend the night camping in Canyonlands
watch hot lava pouring from a volcano
climb a glacier
climb a tall famous mountain
learn to ski or snowboard
learn to speak a foreign language well enough to get along in that country
sing karaoke [to do 3/15/2010 at sxsw #techkaraoke]
learn to play the piano
learn to play the guitar
write a song (lyrics & music)
learn to horseback ride
drive a race car really fast on a race track
learn to ride a motorcycle
go into a random brick-n-mortar bookstore & see my book on sale
be on national TV
speak on a stage with 400+ in the audience
get paid thousands of dollars to speak to an audience
write a fantasy fiction novel
write a screenplay
make a music video
make a full-length movie
have a one-liner in a big-screen movie
have a TV show
host a live event
get a tattoo [DONE!! 2/11/2010 with Allison Nazarian]
play poker in a vegas casino
go to the airport & get on the next plane to where ever & go w/ the flow
go dog sledding

DONE! — Completed Bucket List Items):

Listed in order of completion, starting with bucket list stuff completed in the 4th grade.

learn to not-drown
get to go in the deep end of the pool
get a ribbon at the science fair
sing a solo in front of a crowd
write a poem
storyboard a music video
write a short story
learn a musical instrument
complete the high ropes course
orienteer through the woods without an adult
slow dance w/ a boy
dance in a musical
fly in a plane
go to space camp
successfully land a plane in a real fighter jet simulator
sing in the choir
water ski
take a public bus by myself
have sex
drive a car
learn to play tennis
backpack overnight & sleep under the stars
backpack & camp overnight alone
go rock climbing
go rappelling
be on the varsity team
place at a track meet
explore Hawaii
learn to play racketball
get drunk
go spelunking
teach a class
smoke pot
eat in a fancy restaurant & order a bottle of wine
move to California
fly in a private plane
live in my own apartment
fly first class
eat real sushi
gamble at a real casino
get a piercing
finish a marathon
buy a new car
take a train across the country
stay in a 5 star hotel
explore Australia
walk through a rain forest
see the great barrier reef
start my own business
have a client who pays me money
be featured in the newspaper
give birth
write & publish a book
be on TV
be on the radio
have a radio show
stand at the rim of an active volcano
buy one pair of really expensive shoes (6/5/2009)
throw a party & have people show up (first tweetup 10/14/2009)
catch a cab by myself in NYC (10/16/2009)
sing a song to other people (posted the video online 10/21/2009)
navigate the NYC subway as an adult (12/31/2009)
let another person control an adventure (1/8-1/10/2010 adventure w/ Ori)

What’s on your bucket list?